this is bbc news, and these are the top stories developing at 11. the metropolitan police confirms it is reviewing scores of current sex offence investigations after the collapse of a second rape case in a week. we are reviewing all of those with the cps to ensure that we have complied with the disclosure process in all of those cases. the eu's chief brexit negotiator sets out a limit for a transition period after the uk leaves the eu. translation: the european commission's position is that this would run logically to the 31st of december 2020. i'm ben brown live in westminster where mps are debating the eu withdrawal bill. the international monetary fund downgrades its prediction for uk economic growth to 1.6% for this year. also...

the european court ofjustice decides that the taxi hailing app, uber, should legally be considered a transport company. it means that the firm should be subjected to tighter eu regulation in the countries in which it operates. and we are spending more on ourfurry friends operates. and we are spending more on our furry friends at christmas than ever before, with clothes and toys for pets. good morning. it's wednesday 20th december. i'm annita mcveigh. welcome to bbc newsroom live. the metropolitan police is launching a review of all current sex offence investigations, after the collapse of a second rape case in a week. the prosecutions were halted because of the late disclosure of evidence.

scotland yard confirmed the same officer was involved in both investigations. in the last hour, the metropolitan police have said around 30 cases that are about to go to trial will be reviewed with the crown prosecution service. i think it is important to draw a distinction between the two reviews. the case of leah mallon last week clearly went wrong. we are very keen to find out why, so we instigated an immediate high—level review in partnership with the cps, a joint review which started immediately. —— liam allen. that is to see what we can learn from that case and exactly what happened. the other review which you mentioned is the review of all of our current cases, current investigations, where an individual has been charged and we are progressing towards a trial. we are reviewing all of those with the cps to ensure that we have complied with

the disclosure process in all of those cases. that should have happened. it is an ongoing process of review in any case did all we wa nt of review in any case did all we want the confidence that those cases we're taken to court are compliant. 0bviously, our priority will be those around 30 cases which are about to go to trial. it is a pragmatic step to ensure that we can go to trial safely on those. you say about 30 cases which are about to go to trial — can you put a finger on how many of those are still life? not yet but i am expecting it to be scores of cases in total. what about cases that have already been through the courts, do you have any concerns? i do not currently have reason for concern about those. we have one of the best legal systems in the world, with checks and bala nces in the world, with checks and balances and appeal processes at every stage. in fact the disclosure pi’ocess every stage. in fact the disclosure process that we have had for the last 20 years is a cornerstone of

that process and ensures that all parties, the defence, prosecution and the investigators, are co nsta ntly and the investigators, are constantly reviewing the material in the case for relevancy to make sure that all of the material which should be with the defence is there. our home affairs correspondent danny shaw is here. there's school of thought which says that actually it shouldn't be the met doing this, it should be independent nonetheless it is the met that is doing it. what can we expect from this review and how quickly will it happen? well, i think what scotland yard will do is to go through each of these 30 cases, the priority cases, the ones which are going to the courts, where the suspect has been charged, and they will go through each of those and ensure that if materials which should have been disclosed, that they have been. remember, this material which could undermine the prosecution or assist the defence — that's the criteria. they will make sure the process has been followed,

and if it hasn't then they will make sure that disclosure now takes place. i would sure that disclosure now takes place. iwould not sure that disclosure now takes place. i would not have thought that that will be a terribly long process to go through. there are 30 cases andi to go through. there are 30 cases and i would imagine something could be done within weeks. is it going to serve any real purpose, though, if at the end of the day and there are any recommendations out of this, there aren't the resources to handle cases week by week and month by month? this has been one of the criticisms leading into the collapse of these two rape trials?” criticisms leading into the collapse of these two rape trials? i think thatis of these two rape trials? i think that is the wider issue. we know that is the wider issue. we know that there is a shortage of detectives which has been highlighted previously by the inspectorate of constabulary among others. and that is certainly feeding into some of these problems, the caseloads which some of these officers have to handle, particularly in terms of sexual offences, which is considerable. and when you're dealing with vast amounts of digital data from mobile phones and computers and so on, it complicated the process. that certainly might have been a contributing factor to the

disclosure failings that we've seen. that certainly is something the review will look at. but whether or not scotland yard will put more resources into that remains to be seen. there have been calls for a wider review across other forces, because, of course, the disclosure issueis because, of course, the disclosure issue is not something which hasn't become up in the last couple of weeks, there have been warnings before about problems with disclosure and also, a review two yea rs disclosure and also, a review two years ago which said that the problems of disclosure where becoming more evident because of the vast amount of material that officers had to sift through. we're going to take you straight to a news conference with the eu's chief brexit negotiator michel barnier. translation: the economic chapter, which if we look at the current line

of the uk government, it would be a free—trade agreement along the lines of what we have with canada, south korea and japan, and then we will have certain specific demons such as aviation and other areas. because given the fact that they're going to leave the single... we need to cater for that. we have also gotjudicial co—operation, of course, and then bilateral co—operation, which i will be working on, that's another subject which as you know i'm very interested in. iwill subject which as you know i'm very interested in. i will be working together with the member states on defence, security and foreign policy. so, as you can imagine those are policy. so, as you can imagine those a re really policy. so, as you can imagine those are really the four main dimensions for our future relationship. just to ta ke for our future relationship. just to take that a little bit further. time is going to be of the essence, it's going to be fairly short between 0ctober going to be fairly short between october 2018 and the end of the transition period, end of 2020. so,

i think we have to make good use of that time. but as of march, in fact, to really work specifically, tangible terms, on the possible substance of that future co—operation. i would like that political declaration to be constructive in line with the council guidelines and with the ideas that i've just sketched out, so ideas that i've just sketched out, so that it can really facilitate, that's the idea, facilitate the legal drafting of the treaties, which will then ends you. i say the treaty or treaties, because we will have to look at the legal basis for all the different subjects. as you're all journalists, all the different subjects. as you're alljournalists, maybe i can just add that you have to be very, very careful, if we want to guarantee the success of this whole pi’ocess , guarantee the success of this whole process, everybody has to remain calm, and the fact that several of the provisions in the future relationship will probably be contained in treaties, or a next

treaty, justifying ratification by the national parliaments. maybe not just the national parliaments. and that's why i'm taking this time, very useful time, as of now, even we're not yet there with the negotiations, which will be a european treaty without ratification by the national parliaments, but as i suggested in sophia and as i am doing as i go around all the capitals of the 27, i'm trying to meet not just the capitals of the 27, i'm trying to meet notjust the governments and the prime minister is but also the trade unions, the business community and the national parliaments of each of these countries the eight we have transparency and public debate as of now, so that we guarantee the success now, so that we guarantee the success of the second step and third step which will be ratification of the future relationship. please don't underestimate anybody here in this room the importance, the

difficulty of this ratification period. one more question... translation: i could stay all day! no, i have to leave because i have to prepare for the next meeting! but i will take one or two questions so go ahead! and then we will see what else we have... is that me, alexander, or david? so, could you just clarify, on the free—trade agreements that eu has, during the transition period, will the uk also act as if they are still party to those, notjust act as if they are still party to those, not just policing act as if they are still party to those, notjust policing the uk's borders but also the free—trade agreements hammered and secondly does that mean that you will have to renegotiate in some shape or form with canada, korea, japan, to update

the agreement to make sure it goes beyond that for the uk? thank you. translation: that is a very complex question. and a serious one, because legally speaking, legally speaking, and mechanically, the day after the uk has left the eu institutions, the uk has left the eu institutions, the uk will not be covered by our international agreements. they will be leaving approximately 750 agreements which we have signed as the european union, which cover today the uk. so, the 30th of march 2019 they will know longer be covered by the bilateral agreements which the eu has concluded with third countries. we've got seta, for

instance. and to answer your specific question, the uk needs to prepare as of now to be able to replicate those agreements. what that means as well as that they have to ensure that already, now, they have the administrative capacity to carry out those negotiations, to conclude those agreements. it's a lwa ys conclude those agreements. it's always useful to remember that when we talk about the red tape here in brussels, this red tape, this bureaucracy, works in many areas on behalf of all 28 member states. therefore they don't need to have the same bureaucracy back in their member states. but when a country is no longer a member of the eu then, of course, they need to have that administrative capacity. the uk won't be covered, either, by the multilateral agreements which we have completed as the eu, for insta nce have completed as the eu, for instance an agreement i am familiar with, because i negotiated much of

it, and that is the government procurement agreement. it is an international agreement on public procurement. the uk will remain covered by multilateral agreements which they are party to, such as gat or others. now, this is part of your question — will the uk be able to negotiate free—trade agreements during the transition period? let me repeat that the uk during that period will have to respect all the rules of the customs union, and those of the single market. throughout the entire transition period. at obviously, we will understand that they will be doing their preparatory work preparing for their preparatory work preparing for the future, and i think it is perfectly normal that they have explored for talks with other parties. —— that they have exploratory talks. but it will be up to the council to appraise the

feasibility, the need, for the uk to be able to continue to benefit during this period from some of those agreements. the guardian. you said the timetable for agreeing the withdrawal draft will be october 2018. what would happen if the british parliament voted against that deal and the british government wanted to reopen negotiations, would there be any possibilities to reopen negotiations after october 2018, and could you say a couple of words about the specific arrangements for fisheries? in the document that you've published, it talks about a specific procedural arrangement for fisheries — does that mean the uk could take pa rt — does that mean the uk could take part in the fisheries councils? translation: on this point, which

againi translation: on this point, which again i am fairly familiar with as i was ministerforfisheries in my own country, this is dealt with in paragraph plenty of the document, i think that's what you're referring to. what we say for the transition period is that all community policies will continue to apply. theresa may said in her speech, in her florence speech that this would apply to a very important community policy such as the common fisheries policy. but at the same time, the uk has decided no longer to be part of the council, so when there are discussions such as the discussions establishing the. quotas, the lengthy night talks which take place

which the uk's departure for that period after the uk has left, they will know longer be part of the council so they will have to find a mechanism of consulting with the uk on this question, that's what i think. i'm not going to come meant —— to comment or speculate, i don't like speculation or speculative as, for that matter! so, like speculation or speculative as, forthat matter! so, i like speculation or speculative as, for that matter! so, i won't comment or speculate on what might happen in the british parliament, but what i know is, you've notjust got the uk parliament, you've got the european parliament, you've got the european parliament representing european citizens which has to give its agreement to the article 50 agreements. i have already said this on our site, agreements. i have already said this on oursite, i agreements. i have already said this on our site, i think that we have to build trust for the right conditions to be in place for ratification, and not wait until the end of the road, the end of the process, which is why

iam taking the end of the process, which is why i am taking time with the brexit steering group in the parliament, with guy verhofstadt, i am working before each negotiating round, before each negotiating round, i before each negotiating round, i am before each negotiating round, i am i am working before each negotiating round, i am working with that brexit steering group, itake working with that brexit steering group, i take the time to go to the plenary is, to meet all the political groups, all the political groups, in order to build that trust and establish the conditions to make sure that there is proper understanding so that when we get to the end of this there are no surprises. no surprises. that way, we can make a decision in full civility. thank you very much for your attention, i very much look forward to seeing you at the start of next year. —— in full serenity. studio: michel barnier answering questions from journalists. essentially he was outlining the eu's guidance for the next phase of brexit talks. he said that the uk

had to meet all of its obligations pre—brexit, and he was also setting out a rather significant date for the transition period after the uk leaves the eu of the 31st of december 2020. so, those negotiations very much in the headlines both in brussels and here in the uk. my colleague ben brown is in westminster. good morning. here in westminster, the brexit bill is entering its final committee stage. but i think a lot of eyes here at westminster will have been on michel barnier, the eu's chief brexit negotiator and that press conference we have just been listening to. let's get the thoughts of our assistant political editor norman smith, was also watching mr barnier. quite a tough line? yes, at the end of his date meant he slipped into english to wish everyone a merry christmas, but i don't think he is giving many presents. it is a very

tough line. what have we learned today? as he has mooted so far in their areas interviews, there's not going to be any special arrangements, he says there is no free—trade deal he has ever done which has involved special arrangements for financial services. and that is exactly what the british government doesn't want to. he also suggested a trade deal when it comes will be a political declaration. that suggests to me it is not going to be an all singing all dancing trade deal, more a sort of heads of agreement. but perhaps the most standout news we got from mr barnier is that the transition period is not going to be briefly years, as has been mooted by theresa may, it's going to be 18 months, because the european commission wants it to end in december 2020. we leave in the march 2019, so a that only leaves 18 months. that is tight for business. and i suppose there will be some

concern about that. may be some brexiteers might be encouraged to think, good, we're getting on with it. clearly it is not going to go on for ever and a day, as they might have feared, but it is quite a tight timetable for business to adapt now, because they've only got 18 months. so quite a hard line from mr barnier, which i think is probably a sign of how difficult these negotiations are going to be. speaking of the timetable, on the brexit legislation here at westminster, the government wanted to enshrine the brexit date into that legislation — that was heading for another commons defeat possibly, but now there is compromises amendment on that? yeah, it was pretty clear following on from last week's defeat, where they were defeated on the so—called meaningful vote before we leave, that they were probably heading for an even bigger defeat over this idea of setting a fixed date and time for the 31st of march 2019, when we are leaving,

come what may. and i think a lot of tory mps thought, that is unnecessarily restrictive. it ties our hands in the negotiations. what happens if we go just over the wire? so, the signs where they were heading for defeat. oliver letwin, former cabinet minister, has come up with a very helpful amendment which basically pleases everyone. it says yes, we can leave on that date, however if it gets very close, we can change the data. everyone is thinking, fantastic, let's go with that. nice compromises in time for christmas! norman smith, thank you very much. just to say this is the last prime minister's questions of the year, so i'm sure prime minister will be asked more about brexit at midday. also she is appearing before the liaison committee of mps here this afternoon. also to be asked about exit. back to the studio. the international monetary fund downgrades its prediction for uk

economic growth to 1.6% for this year. the imf said the impact of the decision to leave the eu had weighed heavily on the uk economy. the head of the imf, christine lagarde, is in london and gave details. our forecast for growth in 2017, this year, is1.6%, forecast for growth in 2017, this year, is 1.6%, down from 1.8% in 2016 and 2.3% in 2015. and all of that, despite what i have just mentioned, which is a stronger global environment. ourforecast for 2018 is 1.5%, as uncertainty about the shape of brexit persists most likely, and inflation remains above target. let's get some analysis on

this story now. i'm joined by economist ruth lee, an economic adviser at arbuthnot banking group. and you would argue that given everything that's been going on, the fa ct everything that's been going on, the fact that the growth forecast has been downgraded from 1.7 to 1.6 is really a sign of some resilience?” think it is and the truth is that that downgrade is something and nothing. speaking as a government statistician for many years, i have no doubt that it will be revised to 1.8 or1.9, so no doubt that it will be revised to 1.8 or 1.9, so i no doubt that it will be revised to 1.8 or1.9, so i don't no doubt that it will be revised to 1.8 or 1.9, so i don't think there is any fundamental change to the forecast this tyne bridge i think is fair enough. obviously, with higher prices, squeezed incomes and squeezed consumption, but on the other hand because of the lower pound it does mean that exports will be doing better so you get a better balanced economy. i know christine lagarde is saying that she expects inflation to stay on target for 2017. nevertheless inflation won't come off and that will help

household finances. of course, averments look to consumer spending to fuel growth to a certain extent — how concerned are they that post—brexit the issue of consumer confidence might can continue to be shaky? do you think there will be signs which will give consumers more confidence in the next 12 months? oh, yes as i say i think inflation will be coming off, which will help households. but it is notjust on tumour spending which thrives growth. obviously, exports will drive growth as well, which very much happened in the mid nineties. i am relatively optimistic and i think so are am relatively optimistic and i think so are the imf. but what she is saying is contingent on a free—trade agreement, isn't it? and we haven't got to that yet? it is but i am pretty u p got to that yet? it is but i am pretty up to mystic that there will be some sort of free—trade agreement which is based on tariff—free trade for goods and something for financial services. i cannot see that barnier was saying anything which would disagree with that. the

truth is, even if we, quotes, crash out, it isn't the end of the world. after a ll out, it isn't the end of the world. after all the majority of outrage now is under wto rules. it is not optimal to crash out under those circumstances but it is not impossible. i just circumstances but it is not impossible. ijust want circumstances but it is not impossible. i just want to ask you about another story, the idea that banks in the uk, eu banks, will be able to carry on as they had been post—brexit, irrespective of the shape of the deal. will it be business as usual or is it more complicated than that?” business as usual or is it more complicated than that? i think it is basically business as usual as far as the bank of england is concerned with the european banks that are based here. obviously, we want these banks to stay here. so they don't wa nt to banks to stay here. so they don't want to enforce any more regulation on them orforce want to enforce any more regulation on them or force them to become subsidiaries, they can stay as branches. it is in the city's interests that they do this, because we don't want these banks to be reducing their activity in the city of london. we want to london to remain obviously the premier financial centre of europe, which i

have little doubt that it will, because it has not really got a major competitor. some of the other developing stories today. police are continuing to search two properties, including a community centre following anti—terror raids in sheffield and chesterfield. four men have been arrested and held over an alleged islamist terror plot that officers say could have been carried out this christmas. people forced to evacuate their homes to allow the bomb squad to investigate, have now been allowed to return. the post office network is to receive £370 million of new funding. almost half of the money will be used to protect village community branches, according to the business secretary, greg clark. the three—year funding deal, which will run from next april, comes as the post office announced it had moved into profit for the first time in 16 years. the bbc is to broaden its coverage of religions, devoting more time to non—christian faiths. the decision follows a review

of the corporation's output in response to claims it was out of step with its audience. there will also be more religion reflected in mainstream programming. for a full summary of the news, you can go to our website, bbc.co.uk/news. accident investigators in the united states say a deadly train crash might have been prevented if politicians had not delayed the implementation of new safety equipment. they say the driver may have been distracted when his speeding passenger train careered off the tracks and onto a motorway in the north western state of washington, killing three people and injuring dozens more. the headlines are coming up. in a moment we say goodbye to viewers on bbc two. let's have a look at the weather. it is still fairly cloudy, misty and

murky for many of us. this is the scene in st ives in cambridgeshire at the moment. that mist will continue for much of this afternoon, with hill fog across wales and north—west england. a little bit of drizzle as well, particularly in the west. in the far north, i think, there will be some bright spells. temperatures, 9—1011, pretty mild. the mild weather continues overnight tonight, with further mist and fog developing. outbreaks of rain spreading north—eastwards. a little bit of chillierfurther spreading north—eastwards. a little bit of chillier further north and east. thursday will be fairly similarto east. thursday will be fairly similar to today. some mist and fog continuing, particularly over the hills. rain and drizzle pushing into southern scotland, but some brighter skies in the far north—east of scotla nd skies in the far north—east of scotland once again.

this is bbc news. the headlines. the metropolitan police confirms it is reviewing scores of ongoing sex offence investigations. it follows the collapse of a second rape case in a week linked to the disclosure of evidence. we are reviewing all of those with the cps to ensure that we have complied with the disclosure process in all of those cases. mitchell barnier, the eu's chief brexit negotiator, sets a date for the end of the transition period after the uk leaves the eu. he says the temporary arrangements should not run too long and that the uk cannot adopt an a la carte approach. our position, the european commission's position is that this would run logically to the 31st december 2020. uk economic growth has been downgraded by the international monetary fund 1.6% for this year. imf chief christine lagarde said the economy was being held back by rising inflation and stagnant wages. a boost for birmingham, set to be

named as the host for the 2022 commonwealth games. they were the only city to bid before the original deadline but the proposal was deemed to not be fully compliant. it appears they've won right to stage the event. manchester city manager pep guardiola has dismissed talk of winning four titles this season as unrealistic. they're through to the semifinals of the league cup, though, after beating leicester on penalties. in the midst of an ashes tour plagued by ill—discipline within the squad, batsman ben duckett has been told he won't take part in the england lions tour to the west indies next year. he had already been suspended for powering a drink overjames anderson's head in a perth bar. i will be back after the lunchtime news at 1. i will be back after the lunchtime news at1. 30pm. the european court ofjustice has decided that the taxi hailing app uber should legally be considered a transport company. the ruling will mean that the firm

should be subjected to tighter eu regulation in the countries in which it operates. our technology correspondent is here. it had wanted to be, uber argued, a ding tal —— a digital service and recognised as that. what does this mean for uber and customers? it was interesting you described it at the beginning as we all describe it as a taxi hailing app which is true, it's what it is. it's always wanted to be called a ride—sharing app, a service that stands between drivers and people wanting a ride and just acts as an intermediary, this has made it clear it isa intermediary, this has made it clear it is a transport company and should be regulated as such. uber is trying to play this down, saying the ruling will not change things in most countries where we already operate under transportation law. this was a particular case, it was operating a

service which was unregulated. it has after lots of battles gradually moved to a position where it tries at least to comply with local rules, it has difficulty in doing that. i think this will make it clear that its expansion across europe is going to be pretty difficult because it is going to have to come in line with stringent laws, in each area. which will be more expensive presumably and it is saying this isn't going to make much difference but if that's the case why was it fighting this? absolutely. i mean, it has been an extraordinary successful com pa ny absolutely. i mean, it has been an extraordinary successful company in one way, it spread very rapidly around the world. it's had billions of dollars in backing from investors. but it's losing money hand over fist. every investors. but it's losing money hand overfist. every bit investors. but it's losing money hand over fist. every bit of regulation makes its path to profit less certain. and means rivals are saying maybe we can take uber on. thank you very much. more now on the brexit developments.

my more now on the brexit developments. my colleague is in westminster. morning, thank you, here the eu withdrawal bill completes its main stages today. all eyes this morning have been on brussels, mitchell barnier, the eu's chief brexit negotiator, setting out the terms for the transition period in particular and saying that transition period after brexit would be 21 months, it would not last beyond 31st december 2020. he has been giving a news conference. let's hear a little bit of what he had to say. translation: another important point which is also in the european council decision, relates to the duration of the transition period, it should be of a short and specific duration. at florence, theresa may in her speech, referred to a maximum

of two years. our position, the european commission's position, is that this would run logically to the 3ist that this would run logically to the 31st december 2020, because that's also — that was the duration of the current framework. that was mitchell barnier speaking earlier on. let's go to our brussels reporter adam fleming who was at that news conference. some tough lines for the uk from mitchell barnier today, including that transition period which is perhaps a little shorter than some people were expecting. yeah, not really a lot shorter because the prime minister talked about a period of around two years this is going to bejust less about a period of around two years this is going to be just less than two years. the rumour around brussels had been for quite sometime that the transition period ideally for mitchell barnier would end at the end of december 2020. the reason for that is that the eu works on a seven—year budget cycle and the current budget cycle ends at the end

of december 2020 so it's logical to pick that date. this is a procedural step today, this document issued is more detail added to what the document that was published by the european leaders after their summit on friday, but it's always interesting when mitchell barnier ta kes to interesting when mitchell barnier takes to the podium, not only did we get the timeline for the transition period, he talked about things like the fact that the common fisheries policy will still apply and so the uk will get observer status at meetings where things like the common fisheries rules and quotas are decided, that's quite interesting. he talked about, reinforced this thing about how many rules and regulations will apply during the transition period. we got detail about an issue that doesn't get a lot of attention, gibraltar, there has been media speculation about how spain are going to get involved in the negotiation. confirmation today that the transition agreement will be part of the overall withdrawal agreement, the overall withdrawal agreement, the final treaty which will need the

approval of spain because nothing happens that affects gibraltar without the approval of spain. also, a geeky point but one that's going to bea a geeky point but one that's going to be a big dealfor the british government, mitchell barnier reminding london that the uk is party to 750 international agreements thanks to its membership of the eu. mitchell barnier making the point it will be a huge administrative process for british civil servants to go through to make sure those agreements are rolled over to the uk once it leaves in 2019. thank you very much. let's analyse some of what michel barnier has been saying with the programme director of the institute for government and joins me here. a tough line from michel barnier and this transition period is about 21 months, do you think that's significant? that's the commission recommendation. basically that works for the eu because that takes them to the end of this current financial

settlement, they do their finances in seven—year cycles, that finishes 31 december 2020, convenient to have to not to have to think about the uk lurking around for longer. what about a trade deal, we know the cabinet this week have been discussing it, ithink cabinet this week have been discussing it, i think for the first time actually in detail in the cabinet what sort of trade deal that the uk is seeking post—brexit. what are your thoughts because michel barnier again has been saying there cannot be a bespoke deal for the barnier again has been saying there cannot be a bespoke dealfor the uk that would include, for example, financial services? i think what he is really saying is that, he said this repeatedly the last year, is that what the uk can't get is a deal where we have the access like another single market member, whether it's an eu member or a norway, and the obligation that is go with sort of conventional free trade agreement, so obligations of a canada. and they‘ re trade agreement, so obligations of a canada. and they're worried that the uk is seeking something where we get access uk is seeking something where we get a ccess m o re uk is seeking something where we get access more or less as now, ministers always said that's what

they want to do, but we are going to retain the right to deregulate. we heard noises this week from michael gove, borisjohnson, heard noises this week from michael gove, boris johnson, all heard noises this week from michael gove, borisjohnson, all reportedly saying the uk can do things, the working time directive, we can do things differently. the more you hear that from uk ministers, the more the eu will really want to make sure they've tied us down, if we are getting good access, we are not going to be able to undercut them and make the uk economy much more competitive. and compete with them on an unlevel playing field as they would see it. specifically on the issue of the city and financial services where do you think we are going to end up in a future arrangement with the eu? it's quite interesting, because there are two sides going on here. i think the city has expressed nervousness about being a rule—taker from city has expressed nervousness about being a rule—takerfrom brussels without the uk, with that seat at the table. of course at the moment we can influence the rules that come out of brussels. i don't think they wa nt to out of brussels. i don't think they want to be in a completely sort of rule—taking position either. what barnier is saying is you are not going to be able to passport in now, just on the basis of the uk's own

view of regulations, that access is now, so that's where he is really saying, you know, don't get that deal, that's for negotiation in the next months to come. he is trying to talk tough at the moment. one of the reasons is they don't want to make it too advantageous to leave because it's always been said if you do that, you will end up with other member states trying to leave as well. it's not clear there is a big momentum to leave anywhere else. one of the things the eu has been clear about and i think there is a unity of the 27 on, is that you can't get a better deal outside the eu than you get inside. that's why they're clear about this balance of rights and obligations which is going to be and obligations which is going to be a big battle ground. what i think is interesting is barnier is speaking for the commission now. these are d raft for the commission now. these are draft guidelines. the unit yf the 27 which has held well when it's been citizens‘ rights, which has held well when it‘s been citizens‘ rights, money and ireland, does that hold, you start to see different interests coming out from eu countries depending on their

dependence of their economies on the uk. a long road ahead, thank you very much. here at westminster we will hear plenty more on brexit today because it‘s the final day of detailed scrutiny at committee stage of the brexit legislation, also the prime minister will be at the last prime minister‘s questions of the year, so we will be hearing theresa may pressed on more about the government‘s brexit plans at pmqs at midday. then she will be appearing before senior mps mid—afternoon, after 3pm, the liaison committee and again will be asked about brexit then. back to you. thank you very much. more reaction to the decision that the taxi hailing app uber should legally be considered a transport company and with me now is mick rix from the national office for transport at the gmb union. thank you very much forjoining us. i

should say that around 2,000, more than 2,000uber drivers in london alone are members of the gmb. you we re alone are members of the gmb. you were telling me a second ago that there are too two main reasons you are pleased about this decision. well, firstly, we won an employment tribunal decision in october 2016 saying that uber drivers were entitled to worker status so that meant they were entitled to the national minimum wage, holiday pay, paid breaks and things like that normal people in other industries would be entitled to. uber have been fighting us through the courts saying they‘re a rights—sharing app, they‘re not a taxi operator, that they‘re not a taxi operator, that they don‘t employ these people. this ruling in europe really confirms everything that we have been saying. with workers rights? exactly. the second reason? well, the second reason is that it means they have to

comply with taxi legislation and private hire taxi legislation in this country. there are various pieces of legislation that they‘ve been trying to circumvent. they would deny. i think there are many good case studies they‘re not a fit and proper operator in some areas. for instance, they‘ve lost their licence in london. they‘vejust lost their licence in york. they lost their licence in york. they lost their licence in york. they lost their licence a couple of weeks ago in sheffield because of major compliance about —— complaints about the way they‘re operating services. in other areas of the country it can be argued that yes, they have tried to comply with the prevailing legislation and the regulations that are prevail in that area. what do you think this decision means for the way uber will operate in the uk and also the impact on other taxi companies? well, two things. firstly, it means that uber has to clearly comply with legislation in this country, like all the other

taxi operators have to do. so it‘s creating a level playing field in terms of the legislation. it reduces a competitive advantage perhaps some would say they have? some people would say they have? some people would say they have? some people would say they‘ve had an unfair competitive advantage because they‘ve been trying to disrupt the licensing model that exists in the uk. so, you know, in terms of that it means there is a level playing field. secondly, what it also means, it now has to make a judgment call. uber has lost so many court cases in the last few months that it‘s really u nfortu nately the last few months that it‘s really unfortunately built a very bad reputation for itself with regulators and licence providers. now it has to seriously examine its model. cousin it continue to disrupt or does —— does it continue to disrupt orfall or does —— does it continue to disrupt or fall into place like everybody else? the third thing about this issue is there are other

app—based technology transport companies that are coming into play. so it‘s not just companies that are coming into play. so it‘s notjust uber any more, there is a number of others. it will also mean they will also have to abide by the rules and regulations. wider implications. thank you very much. counter—terror police have resumed searches of two properties after an alleged islamist terror plot set to happen at christmas was stopped. armed officers and an army bomb disposal squad were involved in raids on five properties in south yorkshire and derbyshire on tuesday. four men arrested under the terrorism act remain in custody. let‘s get up to date with this with our news correspondent spencer stokes in sheffield. tell us what‘s happening. yes, those four raids at dawn yesterday morning here in south yorkshire and also in north derbyshire, activity continuing today behind me. the bedsits behind this building is where two of the raids took place. two men taken from

those bedsits and being questioned. then this morning a community centre is being searched by anti—terror police. we have seen officers going in and out of that building looking in bins on the exterior of the building and then a drone hovering above it in the last few minutes. they‘re above it in the last few minutes. they‘ re clearly above it in the last few minutes. they‘re clearly trying to build up a case against the men they arrested yesterday, gathering evidence and looking for information. this is a central centre for the community here but it is closed so the centre has put out a statement today saying the centre‘s activities form an integral part of the lives of people in this area and we are concerned about what‘s happening, we will reopen as soon as about what‘s happening, we will reopen as soon as the situation is resolved here. thank you very much. ina resolved here. thank you very much. in a moment the business news. first

the headlines: the metropolitan police confirms it is reviewing scores of ongoing sex offence investigations. it follows the collapse of a second rape case in a week linked to the disclosure of evidence. mitchell barnier, the eu‘s chief brexit negotiator, sets a date for the end of the transition period after the uk leaves the eu. uk economic growth has been downgraded by the international monetary fund 1.6% for this year. hello, the top business stories. the us senate has approved big reforms to the us tax system slashing business taxes from 35% to 21%. they say the cuts will boost businesses and economic growth. democrats, who all voted against it, say it is designed to benefit the ultra—rich at the expense of the national deficit. the european court ofjustice rules that uber is officially a transport company and not a digital service.

despite protests from the ride hailing it was an information society service and not a cab firm. homes and businesses will have a legal right to demand high speed broadband by 2020, the government has said after rejecting a voluntary offer from bt. openreach, owned by bt and responsible for the infrastructure offered to speed up improvements to 1.1 million rural homes. the imf has downgraded its forecast for uk economic growth. the fund expects growth of 1.6% this year, down slightly from its previous forecast of 1.7%. it expects growth to slow further next yearto1.5%. imf chief christine lagarde said the economy was being held back by rising inflation and stagnant wages which are squeezing spending power. she also said uncertainty over the brexit deal was causing uk firms to delay investment plans. however, she said that the government had made significant progress in reducing the deficit.

the significant depreciation of sterling that followed the referendum has pushed inflation over 396, referendum has pushed inflation over 3%, squeezing real incomes and private consumption. companies are also delaying some investment decisions until they have greater clarity about post—brexit trade rules in particular. ourforecast for growth in 2017 this year is 1. 1.6%, down from 1. 8% in 2016 and 2. 396 in 1.6%, down from 1. 8% in 2016 and 2. 3% in 2015. all of that, despite what i have just mentioned, which 3% in 2015. all of that, despite what i havejust mentioned, which is a stronger global environment. joining us now is sarah hewin, chief europe economist at standard

chartered. what stood out for you there, there isa what stood out for you there, there is a lot in this report, we are picking up particularly on the stuff for the uk but she talked about brexit, talked about productivity and those are the issues that we have been talking about for a long time but highlighted in this report. absolutely. i think a couple of things stood out for me, first of all, the forecasts are not too different from what our own bank of england and office for budget responsibility are saying for this year and next. secondly, christine lagarde commented that the outlook could be better if brexit negotiations proceed and conclude swiftly with both sides reaching an agreement early on. but equally, the forecasts could be somewhat too optimistic if brexit negotiations are long drawn out and it‘s very difficult to reach a deal. so, a lot of focus on brexit still both in terms of the impact it is having on the economy currently and the

outlook for the coming years. forgive the bluntness of the question, but why do we read anything into these forecasts if there sor many things could change, what use do they play? they do give us what use do they play? they do give usa what use do they play? they do give us a signal about broadly where economies are headed and christine lagarde did mention that other economies in the world, in fact the imf has been revising upwards their forecasts so the outcome has been better than expected. whereas for the uk, the outcome has been pretty much in line with what the imf said would happen before the brexit referendum. good to talk to you, thank you very much. supermarket giant tesco can take over food wholesaler booker — in a deal worth 3.7 billion pounds. the deal was under scrutiny from britain‘s competition regulator — over fears it could stifle competition in the grocery market. critics had expected the regulator

to insist that tesco sell off some stores but the deal has been given the green light. youtube has signed a second global deal with a major music label, as it expands its subscription businesses. after signing a deal with warner music in may, the online platform has now added universal music group — which represents artists including taylor swift and jay z — in a deal it says would provide artists with more flexibility and pay. the automaker subaru is investigating whether its inspectors may have faked data on vehicle mileage readings during inspections conducted on cars sold injapan. the japanese firm says uncertified staff were carrying out tests on new cars sold on the domestic market for decades. the news prompted shares in the firm to fall 8.5 percent, making them the most heavily traded stock on the tokyo stock exchange that‘s all the business. christmas jumpers, prosecco,

perfume, all good gifts to find under the tree on the big day. even it seems for dogs. more and more owners are splashing out on luxury items for their four—legged friends. and with supermarkets and high street stores getting in on the action it‘s big business too. as fiona lamdin has been finding out. more and more are dressing dogs in christmas costumes. just last week, 300 dogs injumpers smashed a world record in london. # the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. not hugely surprising then that we are spending a lot more on them. just a couple of miles across town, much thought and planning has gone into suki the pug‘s wardrobe. on christmas day she will have three changes of clothes. when i was a kid my parents got me clothes for christmas, and i was excited to wear the clothes, going to see my family on christmas dinner, so it is kind of the same thing.

she is like my daughter. i am like, whoa, she is. it is notjust clothes. she‘ll have a small mountain of presents under the tree. i think we spend more money on her than on each other. if you come to the kitchen, there is a section for her in the fridge. so you can start the day with a mince pie, and your christmas dinner. you have got a choice of red or white. and it seems suki isn‘t alone. around the corner at the local groomers... we have given her a lovely warm bath. i can't keep the stock on the shelves long enough. sometimes i come in and wonder what i am going to fill them with? let's look around for things to get in quickly because we can't keep up. i have to admit this is a whole new world. i adore my dog mouse, but i have never bought him a christmas present before. there are so many things i could get him. a raincoat, socks, or even boots.

uk consumers are spending more every single year on accessories for pets. just over £900 million is expected to be spent in 2017, that‘s up 16% since 2012. this is an ongoing shift towards treating pets much more like people. this really comes from the really strong parent bond between owners and pets. # let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. it is nice to have a puffer jacket when it is cold. i am buying my friends' a presents. the more that you treat your dog like a human, the more likely they are to develop behavioural problems. shall we pack your stocking? many dogs across the country will have something under the tree, though i am not so sure how many of us will be in matching attire! mine will be getting a squeaky

squirrel and some favourite chews. i am going to talk now about pmqs! last one before christmas. both theresa may and jeremy corbyn hoping to make a big impact. yeah, it's crowd pleaser time, both will want to send their people home with a spring in their step. probably means jeremy corbyn will want a crowd pleaser, so i doubt very much he will go on brexit, although there is a lot of brexit news kicking around here today. i think he will go for something like the nhs, traditional labour issue to get his people geed up labour issue to get his people geed up as they head off for christmas holidays. figures out suggesting something like a 10% vacancy rate in the nhs, these are figures labour have compiled. they put them out

last week, didn‘t get much coverage, maybe he will raise them again so he gets a lift—off from his own side. inevitably i suspect there will be those brexit questions, when is there a day without brexit questions? in particular, of course we now heard from michel barnier, the eu‘s chief negotiator, suggesting a tighter transition period, suggesting we need to be out of the eu by the end of 2020. that may please some brexiteers and might alarm those who want a soft brexit. we will see what happens in the next few minutes. thank you very much. before that let‘s look at the weather forecast. yeah, not very festive weather over the next few days in the run—up to christmas. lots of cloud, misty conditions. this is the scene live at the moment in salford quays and similar for at the moment in salford quays and similarfor many at the moment in salford quays and similar for many parts with cloud, that fog lingering in places, particularly across the welsh mountains and higher ground of north—west england. some patchy

drizzle here and there around western upslopes as well. further north across england, scotland and northern ireland and the east of the welsh hills and the east of the pennines might be brighter skies from time to time but it‘s mild. temperatures about nine to 12. tonight we continue with the cloud, rain and drizzle moving back in northwards across england and northern ireland but again lots of mist and fog developing, particularly in eastern areas of england into thursday morning. during thursday that rain and drizzle continues to move northwards but bright skies across scotland. elsewhere sclar to today. it will stay grey and cloudy with mist and murk but still mild. that‘s it from me. this is bbc news — and these are the top stories developing at midday. the metropolitan police confirms it is reviewing scores of current sex offence investigations, after the collapse of a second rape case in a week. we are reviewing all of those with

the cps to ensure that we have complied with the disclosure process in all of those cases. the eu‘s chief brexit negotiator sets a date for the end of the transition period after the uk leaves the eu. translation: the european commission's position is that this would run logically to the 31st december 2020. uk economic growth has been downgraded by the international monetary fund to 1.6% for this year. and this is the scene live in the house of commons, where the final prime minister‘s questions of the year is about to get under way. welcome to bbc news. let‘s go

straight to the house of commons for the final pmqs of the year. may i start, mr speaker, by wishing all members of staff a merry christmas and a happy new year. and i‘m sure the whole house will want tojoin me in sending our warmest christmas messages and wishes to all of our armed forces who are stationed overseas. we over them great debt of gratitude for the sacrifices that they make on our behalf. this morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, in addition to my duties in this house i shall have further such meetings later today. thank you, mr speaker. in 2009 the prime minister said it was a tragedy that the number of children falling into the poverty cycle was continuing to

rise. every child deserves to have a roof over their head and food on the table, yet on her watch, in wandsworth alone the number of families forced to survive on food banks is continuing to rise, and 2500 children will wake up homeless on christmas day, so my question is simple — when will this austerity driven government say enough is enough and put an end to this tragedy? well, the honourable lady should note that in fact this government has lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of absolute poverty. but i think it's important for all those who have heard her question to be aware of this. she talks of 2500 children in wandsworth waking up homeless on christmas day. anybody hearing that

will assume that what that means is that 2500 children will be sleeping on our streets. it does not... it does not mean that. it is... order! honourable and right honourable members are accustomed to these exchanges taking somewhat longer. so be it. the questions will be heard and the answers from the prime minister will be heard. i am and the answers from the prime ministerwill be heard. lam in no hurry at all. prime minister. thank you, mr speaker. it is important that we are clear about this for all those who hear the questions. because as we all know, families with children who are accepted as homeless will be provided with accommodation. and i would also

point out, i would also point out to honourable members opposite that statutory homelessness is lower now thanit statutory homelessness is lower now than it was for most of the period of the last labour government. thank you, mr speaker. ifi of the last labour government. thank you, mr speaker. if i can draw my right honourable friend away from brexit, which is about to crop up, i suspect. i believe it is common knowledge that the conservative party is the party which strives to protect our green belt. it was therefore a shock to me and a number of my constituents when guildford council submitted their draft local plan. the council are seeking to build the 7% of the houses in their plan on green belt. would my right honourable friend agree that local authorities —— 57% —— should focus

their imaginations on building on brownfield sites, not green belt? well, my right honourable friend is right to raise this issue on behalf of his constituents. as he will know, a local authority may only alter a green belt boundary in exceptional circumstances. in our housing white paper we were very clear that this means when they have examined fully all other reasonable options for meeting development needs. and of course that includes looking at brownfield sites. in the case of guildford four i understand the local plan has been submitted for examination earlier this month, and of course it will be examined by and of course it will be examined by an independent inspector in due course. but i can assure my right honourable friend that he is absolutely right, that we want to ensure that cream belt is protected. jeremy corbyn. thank you, mr speaker. could i take this opportunity to wish you, all members

of the house, all our public serva nts of the house, all our public servants and armed forces, a very happy christmas to and all the best wishes for 2018? and could i pay tribute, mr speaker, to our very hard—working national tribute, mr speaker, to our very ha rd—working national health tribute, mr speaker, to our very hard—working national health service staff, many of whom, unlike us, won‘t get a break this christmas? is the prime minister satisfied that the prime minister satisfied that the national health service has the resources it needs this winter? first of all public can ijoin the right honourable gentlemen? he refers to those nhs staff who will be working very hard this christmas and who won‘t get a break at christmas. it is not only our nhs staff who will be working hard this christmas, it‘s also our emergency services many others who go to work on christmas day so others can enjoy their christmas day. and we thank all of them. he asks about preparations for winter. i can say to him, the health service has prepared more extensively for this

winter than ever before. these plans are helping to ensure safe, timely ca re are helping to ensure safe, timely care for patients. as it happens, those aren‘t my words, they are the words of the chief executive of nhs providers. jeremy corbyn! mr speaker, sir simon stevens did say the nhs needs 4 billion next year just to stand still, and the reality is the government has given the nhs less tha n is the government has given the nhs less than half of what he asked for. mr speaker, the prime minister talks about the money the nhs needs. but 50,000 people were left waiting on trolleys in hospital corridors last month. last week, more ambulances we re month. last week, more ambulances were diverted to other hospitals because of a&e pressures. 12,000 patients were kept waiting in the back of an ambulance because there was no room at the a&e. so, i asked the prime minister again loser as

the prime minister again loser as the nhs got the resources it needs this winter to deal with this crisis? he knows full well that nhs funding is at record levels. and in the autumn budget, we put some extra funding into the nhs this winter, in addition to the £6.3 billion extra thatis addition to the £6.3 billion extra that is going into the nhs over the coming years. time after time against any right honourable gentlemen will come to this house and complain about what is happening in the health service. can ijust say to him... can ijust... can i just tell the house what is happening in the health service. we see now seven. . . happening in the health service. we see now seven... 7 million more diagnostic tests than seven years ago, 2.2 million more people getting

operations. and survival rates for cancer at their highest ever level. those are the figures, but what does it mean? it means more people getting the treatment they need. it means more elderly people getting their hip operations. and it means that today, there are nearly 6500 people alive who wouldn‘t have been if we hadn‘t improved our cancer care. jeremy corbyn! mr speaker, in the first three weeks of this winter, 30,000 patients were left waiting in the back of an ambulance for more than half an hour. these delays risk lives. if the nhs had the resources it needs, you would expect it to be meeting its key treatment and waiting time targets. so, can the prime minister ever say cast—iron pledge that all of those targets will be met in 2018? prime

minister! what we are looking to do in 2018 is, yes, improve the standard of care that we provide in our health service and ensure that we improve on those figures that i have just given we improve on those figures that i havejust given him, that we improve on those figures that i have just given him, that we do see more people being treated, that we do see better survival rates for cancer, that‘s why we have been putting the extra money into the national health service. but it‘s not just about putting national health service. but it‘s notjust about putting extra money into the national health service. it is about ensuring that we see proper integration of health and social ca re integration of health and social care at grassroots level. that‘s what the stps are about in many areas, opposed by the labour party. it is why we‘ve lifted the cap so we see more nurse training places — opposed by the labour party. this is about ensuring that we have the staff and the capability in our nhs to deliver the first—class,

world —class to deliver the first—class, world—class service that our nhs is. we should be proud of our nhs. we are, and we‘re going to make it even better. jeremy corbyn! mr speaker, a&e waiting time targets have not been met for two—and—a—half years. cancer treatment targets haven‘t been met for two years. our a&e departments are bursting at the seams because the government has failed to ensure that people can get agp failed to ensure that people can get a gp appointment when they need one. the government promised to recruit an extra 5000 gps by 2020 loser where are they? prime minister! we are seeing more training places for ourgps, but if are seeing more training places for our gps, but if he wants to talk about targets, he talks about a&e, well, let‘s look at what has happened in wales. the standard on

a&e in wales was last met in 2008. let mejust think a&e in wales was last met in 2008. let me just think — which party is in government in wales? is it the conservatives? no. it‘s a labour party in government in wales. on cancer care, the standard was last met injune cancer care, the standard was last met in june 2008 cancer care, the standard was last met injune 2008 in wales. he should look at what the labour party are actually delivering before he comes to this house and complains. jeremy corbyn! mr speaker, the welsh government relies on a block grant from england which has been cut by 596 from england which has been cut by 5% by 2020. yet despite that, in wales, 85.5% of cancer patients start their treatment within 62 days, higher than is achieved in england. mr speaker, my question was about gps. at the prime minister is

not aware, there are 1000 less gps than there were the day she became prime minister. it is not —— it is not only the lack of gps, another thing which is driving people into a&e is the 6 billion cuts made to social care projects. 2.3 million older people have unmet care needs. does the prime minister regret, and the chancellor is sitting absolutely next to her, that he didn‘t put 1p in his budget for social care? prime minister! we have put £2 billion extra money into social capital we did that in the spring budget. but he started his question by referencing the record of the last labour government on health. well, you know... the last labour government‘s record on health, their nhs legacy was described as ms. we‘re clearing that up, we‘re

putting more money into the nhs. —— asa putting more money into the nhs. —— as a mess. but who was it who described labour‘s nhs legacy as a mess? it was the right honourable gentlemen. when he‘s running for leader, he denounces the labour party. now, he is leader of the labour party, he‘s trying to praise it. jeremy corbyn! mr speaker, can i give some...? mr speaker, i could quote the prime minister something she might be familiar with. if the government wants to reduce the pressure is on the health service and keep people out of hospital in the first place, then it needs to tackle the chronic underfunding of ca re tackle the chronic underfunding of care and support service in the

community, which are at a tipping point. who said that? the conservative leader of warwickshire cou nty conservative leader of warwickshire county council. mr speaker, the question was on social care. but the issueis question was on social care. but the issue is about the nhs as a whole. it's issue is about the nhs as a whole. it‘s there, mr speaker, to provide ca re it‘s there, mr speaker, to provide care and dignity for all if they fall ill. but our nhs goes into this winter in crisis. nurses and other workers, no pay rise for lunar yea rs. workers, no pay rise for lunar years. nhs targets not met for yea rs. staff years. nhs targets not met for years. staff shortages, gp numbers, falling. the reality is, mental health budgets have been cut, social health, public health budgets, cut. the prime minister today has shown just how out of touch she is. the truth is, mr speaker, our nhs is being recklessly, recklessly, put at

risk by her government! that is the truth, mr speaker. prime minister! the right honourable gentlemen is one, because nhs funding has gone up. he‘s wrong because social funding has gone up. but you, know, not that long ago, the right honourable gentlemen was saying that he would be prime minister by christmas. well... he was... he was wrong. iam, christmas. well... he was... he was wrong. i am, and the conservatives are in government. not that long ago, he said we wouldn‘t deliver on phase one of the brexit negotiations. well, he was wrong. we‘ve made sufficient progress, and we‘re moving on to phase two of the brexit negotiations. and not that long ago, he predicted that the budget would be a failure. in fact,

the budget was a success, and it‘s delivering more money for our national health service. labour, wrong, wrong, wrong. conservatives, in government, delivering on brexit, a budget for homes and the health service, conservatives delivering a britain fit for the future. mr mark harper! mr speaker, thank you very much. gloucestershire college is building a brand—new campus in my constituency, made possible by millions of pounds of government support. can i thank the prime minister for that investment? and doesn‘t it show this is a government committed to investing in the skills necessary to make this an economy and a country fit for the future? prime minister! i am very pleased to welcome the development that is

taking place in his constituency. i am also pleased to agree with him, andi am also pleased to agree with him, and i know he believes very strongly in this, the importance of skills and training for the future. and thatis and training for the future. and that is a good commitment of this government. it is more important than ever that people in this country are developing the skills they need to get the highly skilled, well—paid jobs of the future. that‘s what we‘re doing with our money into technical education, and the college in his constituency will play an important part in that. thank you, mr speaker. can i take this virginity to wish yourself, all members and staff and of course our armed forces and emergency personnel, a merry christmas and a good new year when it comes? can we all show wish for a peaceful election tomorrow in catalonia? mr speaker, in 2013 the then chancellor of the exchequer, jorn —— george osborne, when reflecting on the

departure of the then chief executive of the royal bank of scotland, said, of course an approval was sought. what the government right to intervene in the departure of the chief executive of the royal bank of scotland? ice age of the right honourable gentlemen but obviously, decisions have been taken in the past in relation to the royal bank of scotland. the key decision was taken at the time of the financial crisis in relation to the financial crisis in relation to the support that the government provided to the royal bank of scotland. if he is going to raise branch closures, as he did last week, i‘m afraid i will have to tell him that he will get the same answer as he got last week — this is a commercial decision for the royal bank of scotland. but the government does ensure through the protocol and through the work that has been done with the post office, that services are available for people. mr speaker, it is supposed to be prime minister‘s questions, the prime minister‘s questions, the prime minister is supposed to at least try and answer the question. if it was right in 2013 for the chancellor of the exchequer to intervene on the

departure of the chief executive officer, then of course it is quite right that the government takes its responsibility when the last branches in town are going to be closed in scotland. prime minister, shows some leadership, stand up for our communities, bringer ross mcmillan into number 10 downing street and tell him that you‘re going to stand up for the national interest and stop these bank closures. the decision on individual bank branches is of course an operational decision for the bank. he talks about standing up for communities and standing up for people across scotland. i have to say to him, that‘s a bit rich coming from an snp which in government in scotla nd from an snp which in government in scotland is going to increase taxes for1.2 scotland is going to increase taxes for 1.2 million scots. the conservative government is reducing tax for 2.4 million scots. there is

only one clear message to people in scotla nd only one clear message to people in scotland — conservatives back you, snp tax you. order! i wish the honourable member for filtering and bradley stoke and his honourable friend the member for morley add out with all the best for their wedding on friday of this week. which i look forward to attending. thank you very much, mr speaker. i look forward to seeing you there. i‘m sure the prime minister agrees with me that the defence of the realm and the protection of our people is the first duty of government. but would she further agree with me that any future government which failed to support our armed forces, which wanted to abolish our nuclear deterrent and which super—sized with terrorists would endanger our security as well

as placing hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk up and down the country, as well as 12,000 in my constituency? mr speaker, mayi country, as well as 12,000 in my constituency? mr speaker, may ijoin you in congratulating right honourable friendss on their forthcoming wedding, which u nfortu nately forthcoming wedding, which unfortunately because of my travels i will not be able to attend. but he has raised a very important issue. and i absolutely agree with him that defence is the first responsibility, the first duty of government. that‘s why we are committed to our nato pledge to spend at least 2% of gdp on defence every year. we have a £36 billion defence budget, which will rise to almost £40 billion by 2025 and 21. and we‘re spending £170 million of equipment over the next few years. the party opposite wants to get rid of our nuclear deterrent and cut our armed forces and pull out of nato, and they would weaken our defences. the prime minister

will be aware of the strong affection and support for gibraltar across this house if in light of the guidelines published this morning, will she give a commitment not to enter into with the european union which excludes gibraltar from the transitional or implements daesh and arrangements and periods? can i say to the honourable gentlemen that we in the eu have been clear that gibraltar is covered by the withdrawal agreement and the exit negotiations. and to confirm what i said on monday, as we negotiate this, we will be negotiating to ensure the relationships are therefore gibraltar was well. we‘re not going to exclude gibraltar from our negotiations from either the intimidation period or the future agreements. i can give the honourable gentlemen that assurance. as the prime minister will be aware,

dairy is very important for growing children as part of a healthy diet. the sector is integral to great british food and rink. will she support our campaign next year to rebrand milk to our supermarkets to include it as part of their meal deal selections and promoting milk in schools and will she join me this christmas in raising a glass to our fabulous debris farmers?” christmas in raising a glass to our fabulous debris farmers? i am very happy tojoin fabulous debris farmers? i am very happy to join my honourable friend in commending the work that our dairy farmers to. he talks about the importance of dairy and here‘s a great advocate for rural issues. on the particular points that he has raised, i‘m sure my right honourable friend the environment secretary will be happy to discuss those points with him, but ijoin him in recognising the importance of our dairy industry. prime minister, in

eight european countries plus australia and canada, they have introduced drug consumption rooms which have resulted in a reduction in the spread of hiv and crime. drugs related deaths on the other hand continue to increase in the uk. there has never been a drug overdose ina there has never been a drug overdose in a supervised truck consumption room. in the interest of public health, will the prime minister introduce them in the united kingdom, or if not introduce the releva nt kingdom, or if not introduce the relevant powers to the scottish government so that scotland can get on and do it? the home office has recently published the government‘s updated drug strategy. but i have to say to him that i have a different opinion from some members of this house. there are some members of this house who are very liberal in their approach to the way that drugs should be treated. i am very clear that we should recognise the damage that we should recognise the damage that drugs do to people‘s lives. our aim should be to ensure that people

come off drugs, don‘t go on them in the first place, and that people keep clear from the first place, and that people keep clearfrom drugs. that‘s the first place, and that people keep clear from drugs. that‘s what we should focus on. thank you, mr speaker. may i pay tribute to the prime ministerfor speaker. may i pay tribute to the prime minister for listening so carefully to myself around issues for women‘s health, particularly around pregnancy and mesh implants, all issues raised to me by my constituents. like my right honourable friend they feel very strongly about tackling female health issues and are very grateful to be heard. can the prime minister therefore assure me that she will continue to listen so that women do not feel that they are left behind or forgotten not feel that they are left behind orforgotten when it not feel that they are left behind or forgotten when it comes to health equality in this country?” or forgotten when it comes to health equality in this country? i was very happy to meet my honourable friend to discuss these issues, and indeed to discuss these issues, and indeed to meet other white honourable and honourable friends to talk about this. these are important issues,

these are issues that have had a real impact on women‘s lives. they‘re issues where women want a nswe i’s they‘re issues where women want answers as to what has happened in relation to this. i can assure my honourable friend that the government and i will continue to listen on these issues and we will continue to look to see what we can do to ensure that we don‘t see women suffering in the way that we have in the past on issues like this, and we will keep that clear focus on women‘s health. will keep that clear focus on women's health. mr speaker, happy christmas! last year... last year, the prime minister told the radio times that on christmas day she likes to prepare and cook her own goose. you know what's coming! in the spirit of christmas, can i suggest to her that in order to extra ct suggest to her that in order to extract the maximum pleasure from

thejob of extract the maximum pleasure from the job of stuffing her goose, apache names it either michael or boris? the prime minister! order! i'm sure the prime minister has got better taste than that! can i say to the honourable gentlemen, i think i will be having to resist the temptation to call the goosejeremy. mr speaker, on thursday last week there was a very important local referendum in christchurch. the result was that 84% of the people of christchurch want to keep christchurch want to keep christchurch as an independent sovereign borough and i‘m against

the abolition of christchurch. order! order! ican't the abolition of christchurch. order! order! i can't understand this atmosphere. i want to hear about the news of the good burghers of christchurch. will my right honourable friend ensure that the government aspects the views of the people of christchurch? and will she also ensure that the government gives sufficient time, indeed extra time, for the council to draw up alternative proposals which properly reflect the wishes of the people of christchurch? the prime minister! i thank my honourable friend for his question. as he knows, being very close to this, this is an issue which has been considered by local councils over a significant period of time. it is an issue that has been considered by the department for communities and local government. as was said from a

sedentary position by my honourable friend, it is also the case that there are other councils in the area that you support a change to the government structure. of course the department will be looking very carefully at the views of these councils to ensure that the best result is therefore the people of dorset. we have some of the best schools in north—west durham but... we have some of the best schools in north-west durham but... it may be mod rattly good— natured north-west durham but... it may be mod rattly good—natured but nevertheless, it is disruptive. the honourable lady is entitled to be heard. and for as long as she's in this house and i am in this chair the honourable lady will be heard. and that's the end of it. thank you very much mr speaker. we have some of the very best schools in north—west durham but whatever the new funding formula they‘re dealing with deficits from years of real term cuts, feeling the effect of acad mication, school staff are

working for longerfor acad mication, school staff are working for longer for less pay. acad mication, school staff are working for longerfor less pay. the fa ct working for longerfor less pay. the fact remains a significant proportion of schools in north—west durham will see totally reduction in theirfunding. they durham will see totally reduction in their funding. they have durham will see totally reduction in theirfunding. they have run durham will see totally reduction in their funding. they have run out of ways to make the government cuts. can the prime minister tell us what they should do next. prime minister. the honourable lady says that she asked me not to say there is more money going into our schools but of course there is more money going into our schools. that‘s the reality. the figures are that funding for our schools will rise by over 1. funding for our schools will rise by over1. 4 funding for our schools will rise by over 1. 4 billion next year and also almost 1. 2 billion the year after. we protected the pupil premium which is worth nearly two—and—a—half billion to support those who need it most. but of course education, if you listen to the labour party, education seems to be only about the amount of money you put in. actually what parents are looking for is the quality of education that is provided. i notice that there is an

increase of over 12,000 children in the county durham local authority now in good or outstanding schools. that‘s because of this government. thank you. 2017 has been an excellent year for fairham college, rated outstanding by ofsted and shortlisted by the times as college of the year. successful in its bid to deliver its civil engineering provision. will my right honourable friend join me in sending happy christmas to the principal and his staff, congratulating them on supporting our young people into work and because it‘s christmas, creating a britain fit for the future. can i say to my honourable friend that i am very happy not only to send christmas wishes to the principal but also all the staff and all the students at fairham college but also to congratulate them that because of their hard work they‘ve

achieved such excellent results and she is‘s absolutely right this is about ensuring young people have the skills, have the training, have education they need for the jobs of the future, building a britain fit for the future. for many terminally ill people on universal credit this christmas will be their last christmas. does the prime minister agree with me that there can never be appropriate for term minutally ill people to be forced to meet with work coaches or to fit into an arbitrary six months prognosis in order to claim support so will she listen finally to the experts at mnduk and macmillan cab and remove these conditions to allow some dignity as these people with their families face the end of their lives? the honourable gentleman is right that we have to ensure that we are dealing with those cases where somebody does have a terminal illness with utmost sensitivity. these are issues that have been

raised before. the conditions, the principles applied to ter minutally ill people claiming universal credit are infact ill people claiming universal credit are in fact the same as those claiming employment and support allowa nce claiming employment and support allowance and they‘ve remanded the same for successive governments. there are a number of approaches that can be taken and there are several options for how people progress through the system but he is right we should deal with people who are ter minutally ill with sensitivity, that‘s what the system intends to do. this morning i met liam allen, the young student whose life was put on hold for two years and had to endure torture until his case collapsed last week and this week another case collapsed because of lack of disclosure. does the prime minister agree with me that when allegations are made there should be a full investigation and there should be full disclosure given to the cps and to both lawyers ? given to the cps and to both lawyers? my right honourable friend

raises an important point. this issue of disclosure is one that obviously has come to a focus of concern as a result of the case that he has quoted. and indeed i understand another case which is in the press today. but what i can tell him is that my right honourable friend the attorney general had even before these cases came up actually initiated a review into disclosure. i think it is important that we look at this again to make sure that we are truly providing justice. according to her own commission social mobility in britain is stalling and for many it‘s getting worse, not better. does she agree with herformer chief of worse, not better. does she agree with her former chief of staff that last week social mobility action plan was disappointing, full of jargon, short on meaningful policies and would have been better left unpublished ? and would have been better left unpublished? can i say to the honourable lady, that the social mobility action plan will play an important role in enabling less advantaged young people to get on in

life. that‘s not what i have said. it's life. that‘s not what i have said. it‘s what the sutton trust have said. the sutton trust have a fine record in helping disadvantaged young people get on in life. if she wa nts young people get on in life. if she wants some other quotes the association of colleges has said the plan sets out an ambitious agenda to tackle long standing and deep seated inequalities which the education system struggles to overcome. this isa system struggles to overcome. this is a good plan t will make a real difference to young people‘s lives. in the 1980s mrsthatcher famously commented... very unfair on the honourable gentleman. let's hear the fella. thank you. in the 1980s mrsthatcher famously commented if vietnam was so wonderful why were millions getting in boats to leave it? with that in mind, can i ask my right honourable friend when she goes on the second phase of brexit negotiations if wto rules are so wonderful, why do so many countries seek trade agreements? can ijust

say to my honourable friend of course countries around the world can trade, the question is what terms are they trading? we want to see a free trade agreement negotiated with the european union. we also want to see free trade agreements negotiated with countries around the rest of the world. the reason for that as we are believers in free trade, the reason for that is because we believe that brings growth, prosperity, jobs and a secure future to this country. can i wish the prime minister a merry christmas. as she sits down to her christmas. as she sits down to her christmas dinner will she spare a thought for the one million youngsters, the children society calculates are set to lose their school dinners because of the government‘s universe credit plans? it's government‘s universe credit plans? it‘s the season of goodwill, why doesn‘t she offer to fix this? it‘s the season of goodwill, why doesn't she offer to fix this? can i wish the honourable gentleman a merry christmas too and happy new year. but can i say to him that in

fa ct year. but can i say to him that in fact the introduction of the arrangements forfree fact the introduction of the arrangements for free school meals under universal credit that is proposed by the government will lead to more children having access to free school meals. may i wish you and everybody else a very happy christmas. given michel barnier‘s claim that uk banks will lose their passporting rights post—brexit as opposed to the bank of england‘s statement that eu banks will be able to continue to operate here, does this not vindicate my right honourable friend‘s principled and strong stance in negotiating for eu and uk citizens? can i say to my honourable friend that we value the important role that the city of london plays, not just important role that the city of london plays, notjust as financial centre for europe, but a financial centre for europe, but a financial centre for europe, but a financial centre for the world. we want to retain that and maintain that. michel barnier has made a number of comments recently about the opening negotiating position from the

european union. we are very clear and the bank of england and indeed the treasury have been setting out today reassurance to ensure that banks will be able to continue to operate and will be able to continue to ensure that the city of london retains its global position. but this will be of course part of the negotiations on phase two of brexit. we are very clear how important this is. mr and mrs walker from my constituency have a son with learning difficulties. mrwalker in august was knocked down by a driver who was over the limit, had taken drugs, had no lights and was speeding. mrwalker is 69, now quadlepegiy. he can they are paying £400 for a hire car. i wrote to the dwp about this case on 21st november and have not heard a reply. isn‘t it shocking that this country and this

government can‘t look after the elderly and the disabled and i would ask that the prime minister looks into this case urgently. can i first of all give our best wishes to mrwalker and his family. and how sorry we are to hear of what has befallen him. he reference refrns a letter, i will ensure that case is investigated and he receives a response. would my right honourable friend join me in praising the work of force alice who provided domestic abuse support for 40 years. will she consider under the current reforms the benefits of a new funding structure for domestic review abuse refuges separate from the supported housing sector so refuges can continue to deliver the specialist support. i thank my honourable friend for raising the question of refuges but also i am happy tojoin him in praising the work of fort

alice and services like it across the country. he mentions reforms we are putting in place. indeed that is because at the moment we feel the system isn‘t responsive to the needs of vulnerable women in local areas and that‘s why we want to put funding in the hands of local authorities but bring in new oversight to make sure we are delivering the right support for the right people. it‘s trying to ensure we are focussing the support on those who need it and this is a system that‘s more responsive to the needs of vulnerable women. the inappropriate treatment of smaller businesses by the royal bank of scotla nd businesses by the royal bank of scotland destroyed businesses, ripped families apart, and saw people take their own lives. rbs is owned by the government. will the prime minister set up the full independent inquiry which is needed to deliver justice for the independent inquiry which is needed to deliverjustice for the victims. my to deliverjustice for the victims. my understanding is that this issue is being looked into, is being properly looked into. 0f is being looked into, is being properly looked into. of course i

recognise the concerns that are expressed by the honourable gentleman and indeed will have been expressed by other members in this house and the government is looking into that. does the prime minister share my dismay that the snp government is planning on raising taxes on hard working scots when it could raise the same amount if not more byjust getting its own house in order and improving efficiency. cani in order and improving efficiency. can i thank my honourable friend. what the scottish government is proposing means that there are 1. 2 million scots earning over £26,000 will be paying more tax than people in england will be paying. but i was interested because i wasn‘t aware of the fact that my honourable friend has given this house now which is very important, namely if the snp... order. apologies. can ijust ask the prime minister to face the house because some of us can't hear fully andl because some of us can't hear fully and i would like to hear fully. the

prime minister. mrspeaker, iwas making the point that my honourable friend has made an important addition to the knowledge of this house which is if the snp government got its own house in order it could save that amount of money by raising taxes and actually not put that extra tax burden on people oerning over £26,000. in light of some of the very loose inaccurate and misrepresentative language coming from politicians who should know better outside northern ireland would she take the opportunity to repeat to this house and to the public in northern ireland, both sides of the community, the well—established three stranded approach to northern ireland which makes it clear that the internal arrangements and decisions on northern ireland are a matter for the united kingdom government and the united kingdom government and the parties in northern ireland. and to confirm what he says and we are

very clear about the position and the decisions that will be taken about northern ireland. what we do of course want to see is a northern ireland executive restored so that we can see those desolved decisions being taken by that northern ireland executive. i know the right honourable gentleman i believe also wa nts to honourable gentleman i believe also wants to see that executive restored and we will continue to work with his party and with other parties across all communities in northern ireland to see that happen. as one of the significant trees to amendment 400 to the eu withdrawal bill, may i seek an assurance from the prime minister that its provisions to change the date of our leaving the eu will be invoked only if at all under extremely exceptional circumstances and only for a very short period.” exceptional circumstances and only for a very short period. i am happy to give my honourable friend and others that rea assurance. we are

clear we will be leaving the eu on 29th march 2019 at 11pm. the bill thatis 29th march 2019 at 11pm. the bill that is going through does not determine that the uk leaves the eu, that‘s part of the article 50 process. it‘s a matter of international law. it‘s important i think that we have the same position legally as the european union and that‘s why we have accepted the amendment my right honourable friend. but i can assure the house we would only use this power in exceptional circumstances for the shortest possible time and an affirmative motion would be brought to the house. the government department ofjustice, nhs england and lancashire care foundation trust should be thoroughly ashamed of their part in the national disgrace which is hmp liverpool. could the prime minister assure this house this whole house that those responsible for the deplorable

conditions, the lack of care and harm which led to suicides of some prisoners and has — this harm which has been caused to both staff and prisoners, those people will be held to account and proper disciplinary action taken and they not be allowed to simply move to otherjobs. we need accountability for this tragedy. can i say to the honourable lady of course as i understand it, as my right honourable friend the justice secretary said yesterday, he expects this report on hmp liverpool to be published early in the new year. but a number of actions have been taken as i understand it, including changes to prison management. overall of course we are increasing frontline staff in our prisons by putting more money into that and we are increasing the support available to vulnerable offenders especially during the first 24 hours of custody. we have also invested more in mental health awareness training for prison officers. but of course my right honourable friend the justice secretary will look carefully at this report when it is published.”

don't know, sorry if i was keeping the honourable gentleman awake! or he had some other pressing business. i want to hear the fella! a merry christmas to you mr speaker, as well. the prime minister‘sjust given an assurance that amendment 400 would indeed be only used in extremist and for a short period of time. could i press her to be more specific than that, are we talking when you with talk, if it‘s used the powers are used at all, would it — could she assure the house it would only be used for weeks or months at a maximum and no longer because there is a concern that it could be indefinitely extended our stay within the eu? well, can i thank my honourable friend for seeking further clarification on this particular point. can ijust start by saying as i did to my honourable friend the member for by saying as i did to my honourable friend the memberfor new by saying as i did to my honourable friend the member for new forest that actually we are going to leave on 29th march 2019. that is what we

are working to. but we do want to ensure that we have the same legal position as the european union and thatis position as the european union and that is why amendment 400 tabled by the memberfor west that is why amendment 400 tabled by the member for west dorset has been accepted. but i can assure my honourable friend that we are talking, if it were the case, that this would be used, it would only be in extremely exceptional circumstances and it would be for the shortest possible time. we are not talking about extensions... order. order. we would hear better if the prime minister faced the house but we would also hear better if members didn't keep wittering. new years resolution. end to wittering and hollering! . the prime minister. i apologise for not facing the opposition on this. i was hoping

to ensure that my honourable friend actually heard the response that i was giving. i can assure him that we are talking about the shortest possible time for this should it be used but i am clear we are leaving the european union on 29th march 2019. thank you. last friday jo cox published a manifesto. will the prime ministerjoin us in urging eve ryo ne over prime ministerjoin us in urging everyone over christmas to look out for neighbours, family and friends struggling with the pain of loneliness and will the government play its part by publishing a strategy for loneliness and responding fully early in the new year to our recommendations. well, cani year to our recommendations. well, can i say to the honourable lady i know that she has worked extremely ha rd know that she has worked extremely hard on this issue together with my honourable friend the member for ribble. i think we are getting more awareness of the impact of

loneliness on people and i think we all recognise that social isolation is an issue. it is of importance to the government. we are looking at a number of things we can do to help reduce loneliness. but it‘s notjust what government can do, it is about what government can do, it is about what communities can do, what neighbours can do and i am pleased to say that for example in my own constituency of maidenhead the churches together on christmas day bring elderly people who would otherwise be on their own together for a community lunch so just one small example of what we can all do in our communities to help to ove rco m e in our communities to help to overcome the problem of loneliness. it's overcome the problem of loneliness. it‘s very welcome that the prime minister is taking personal charge of building the homes that this country needs which is such an important social justice issue for the future of our country. how does the future of our country. how does the prime minister see us doing this at the scale and at the speed which is necessary. my honourable friend is necessary. my honourable friend is right we do need to build more homes and need to build them at a scale. i am

homes and need to build them at a scale. iam pleased homes and need to build them at a scale. i am pleased to say that last year we saw 217,000 new homes built. this means that we have seen a record — a level of house building that apart from one year i think hasn‘t been seen over the last 30 yea rs. we hasn‘t been seen over the last 30 years. we need to go further. that‘s why we proposed a number of changes both in support for affordable housing, support for councils, support for people helping to get their foot support for people helping to get theirfoot on support for people helping to get their foot on the housing ladder but also working with local authorities ina number of also working with local authorities in a number of ways to ensure that land is released and we do see builders building out the planning permissions that they have. finally, tim farron. thank you, mrspeaker. that's not a very seasonal response from the honourable gentleman from sefton. i expect better of the honourable gentleman. tim farron. thank you very much for your characteristic greeting and may i wish a merry christmas to everyone epping the honourable memberfor

sefton. the prime minister will be aware that nhs england have extended the deadline for their consultation on allocation of radiotherapy services into the new year. will she ta ke services into the new year. will she take this opportunity to ensure that one of the criteria is shortening the travel distances people have to ta ke the travel distances people have to take when they need to take this life—saving utterly urgent treatment knowing that travel times have a massive impan on outcomes so people who live in places like south cumbria can access this treatment safely and quickly. can i say of course we are all aware of the need to ensure not just course we are all aware of the need to ensure notjust people are able to ensure notjust people are able to access the treatment that they need, but they‘re able to access that in a way that is appropriate and of course recognise in some rural areas that means further distances to travel than it would in other parts of the country. as he said, there is a consultation out there. nhs england will be looking very closely at these issues and i am sure he will have made representations to them. thank you. order.

studio: so the end of an exceptionally long prime minister‘s questions. the final one before christmas. it‘s been an exceptionally busy and unusual year in politics, i think it‘s fair to say. let‘s get an assessment of that with norman smith who has been listening to it. when you suggested or predicted jeremy corbyn might lead on the nhs you weren‘t wrong. i6 lead on the nhs you weren‘t wrong. 16 or 17 minutes devoted to trading statistics. i don't think we got anywhere on that rival battery of statistics. talking about missed waiting times, 30,000 people having to wait in ambulances to get into a&e. mrsmay saying record levels of cancer survival rates, pointing to the nhs in wales. it was a familiar argument. i thought the most interesting thing was the final exchange mrs may said tojeremy corbyn words to the effect, i am still here, you are still there. i

think that tells us almost the sense of relief mrsmay has made it to the end of the year. let‘s be honest, back a few months and i think a lot of people thought no way was she going to get through this and certainly not with the divorce bill agreed, article 50 triggered and tonight probably the main stages approved. she‘s kind of got through it and got to sort of more than base camp, catch one on the adventure of getting up brexit. some relief actually that she is still on course. the one interesting thing we did get wasjust course. the one interesting thing we did get was just towards the end she was asked about any delay in the brexit timetable by the conservative euroscepticjohn barren and she said we would only delay it in exceptional circumstances and only for the shortest of possible times. he was looking for a commitment of weeks or maybe two months. he didn‘t get it. i suspect some brexiteers

will be nervous about that. thank you very much. in a moment the news at one. first, the weather forecast. not very festive out there. grey skies, drizzle and mist. this is a picture from buckinghamshire. fairly gloomy, does look like december in the uk. fog on the coast there around devon. if you have been following our forecasts in the last few days you know we are confident it‘s going to be mild in the run—up to christmas and mild on the big day itself. i showed you a similar picture yesterday if you were watching at the same time, there was mild air across the uk and into scandinavia. this pattern has remained unchanged overnight. a lot of mild air across the country. more cloud and drizzle coming in. this is the pattern we are going to see the next few days. it will be pulses of

cloud and drizzle coming off the atla ntic cloud and drizzle coming off the atlantic and with that temperatures won‘t befalling lower than around ten overnight. this is thursday morning. misty across much of england and wales. rain around yorkshire, maybe northern ireland too catching rain, possibly south western scotland. the north of scotla nd western scotland. the north of scotland it will be dry and brighter. here, fresh and around six degrees expected in aberdeen. friday, the same pattern continues. i think friday, the same pattern continues. ithinka friday, the same pattern continues. i think a slightly dryer day maybe but again mist around some of the hills. temperatures in double figures there for most of us on friday. that‘s the week. into the festive period, the weekend, saturday a subtle difference in the north. actually a big difference, low pressure moving through with a weather front, strong winds,

probably gales across scotland on saturday. temperatures 11 in the south, 11 in the far north, double figures across the board. saturday into sunday look what happens, weather front comes in from the south, drags in more mild airfor the big day itself and looks like this rain in the north with temperatures of around six to eight. double figures across most of england and wales. beyond that it might turn colder. an urgent investigation is ordered into dozens of sex offence cases after two rape trials collapse in a week. the metropolitan police says it‘s reviewing about 30 cases after two collapsed because of the late disclosure of evidence to the defence. my right honourable friend the attorney general had even before these cases came up actually initiated a review into disclosure. i think it is important that wwe look at this again to make sure that we are truly providing justice.

also on the programme this lunchtime. the international monetary fund downgrades its forecast for britain‘s economic growth this year saying the economy‘s already losing out because of brexit. the european court ofjustice rules that the taxi—hailing app uber is a transport firm notjust an app, which means tighter regulations. sweeping tax cuts are approved in the united states in what is the biggest achievement so far of donald trump‘s presidency.